barrier reef

noun

: a coral reef roughly parallel to a shore and separated from it usually by a lagoon

Examples of barrier reef in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Grace Bay consistently ranks among the world’s most beautiful beaches, partly because a barrier reef a mile offshore keeps the waters calm and free of swells. Vanita Salisbury, AFAR Media, 6 Nov. 2025 South Florida is home to the only barrier reef in the continental United States. Cassie Martinez, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025 Despite most of the terrain being endless shades of green, I was stunned to find the Calibishie Red Rocks on a barrier reef, an area filled with nooks of sea caves and crannies where waves crash high into the sky. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2025 Florida’s Coral Reef is the third-largest barrier reef system in the world and the only living coral barrier reef in the continental U.S. Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for barrier reef

Word History

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barrier reef was in 1805

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Cite this Entry

“Barrier reef.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrier%20reef. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

barrier reef

noun
: a coral reef roughly parallel to a shore and separated from it by a lagoon

More from Merriam-Webster on barrier reef

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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